One-step solvothermal synthesis of epichlorohydrin-modified magnetic Fe3O4 microspheres in ethylene glycol

Abstract Surface modification is crucial for downstream applications of Fe 3 O 4 microspheres (e.g., bio-separation, catalysis and drug delivery). In the present work, monodisperse magnetic Fe 3 O 4 microspheres of ca. 0.42 μm are prepared by one-step epichlorohydrin (ECH)-modified solvothermal synthesis in ethylene glycol. ECH is grafted onto the surface of Fe 3 O 4 upon in-situ dehydrochlorination under basic conditions. The resulting surface groups (e.g., 1,2-dihydroxylpropyl) not only prevent Fe 3 O 4 microspheres from aggregation, but also serve as anchoring sites for further functionalization, e.g., bind 14.9 mg/g of Cu 2+ by releasing H + into the aqueous solution.